Sony ICF-5500W Bandswitch Repair

The place to be when you have TEA. Discuss all kinds of test equipment.

Important: Use tags for the type of equipment your topic is about.
Forum rules
Use tags for the type of equipment your topic is about. Include the "repairs" tag, too, when appropriate. If a new tag is needed, request one in the TEAdministration forum.
Post Reply
User avatar
MED6753
Posts: 891
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2022 6:02 pm
Location: Middletown, NY USA

Sony ICF-5500W Bandswitch Repair

Post by MED6753 »

OK, It's not TE but it's my "go to" radio in the lab and a rainy day project.

Image

It's hard to believe that it's 51 years old. Purchased in 1975 from a now defunct Lafayette Radio for the princely sum of $110 USD. I bought it on a time payment plan to establish some credit. It's design reflects the "military style" that was common back then. The radio has 3 bands. AM - FM - VHF. The problem is that the bandswitch is very intermittent on FM and VHF. AM is fine. So rip it apart on find out what's going on.

Removing the back reveals solder side of the circuit board. You really have to jockey things to get it out of the front panel.

Image

The bandswitch assembly is very complex. Just below the meter is a geared assembly with a switch under it to engage FM. VHF is engaged by the lever going up to the left of the meter and engaging to a switch under the meter.

Image

I don't relish trying to take that assembly apart. So let's try some deoxit first. Success on the FM band. VHF is better but still somewhat intermittent. In looking over the lever assembly there was a screw (hidden under some wires) which appeared to give some minor adjustment. Again success. If only all projects were this easy. But getting this radio re-assembled was a royal pain in the arse.

And here it is. Listening to the National Weather Service on 162.55 MHz.

Image
An old gray beard with an attitude. I don't bite.....sometimes :twisted:
tggzzz
Posts: 2755
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2022 8:17 pm

Re: Sony ICF-5500W Bandswitch Repair

Post by tggzzz »

MED6753 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 11, 2026 7:16 pm OK, It's not TE but it's my "go to" radio in the lab...
It is equipment for testing signal strength and atmospherics.
User avatar
AVGresponding
Posts: 764
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2022 7:30 pm
Location: The Yorkshire

Re: Sony ICF-5500W Bandswitch Repair

Post by AVGresponding »

tggzzz wrote: ↑Sun Oct 11, 2026 7:52 pm
MED6753 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 11, 2026 7:16 pm OK, It's not TE but it's my "go to" radio in the lab...
It is equipment for testing signal strength and atmospherics.
And the dimensions of your wallet! Blimey, $110 in 1975 is nearly $700 in today's money!

https://www.calculator.net/inflation-ca ... late#uscpi
nuqDaq yuch Dapol?

(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
Post Reply